Students at the Calgary Girls' School are doing good deeds to raise money for Brianne's LEAP of Hope.

"We believe it's appropriate for our school and our girls to give back to the community," said principal Judy Gray.

The girls raise money by babysitting, setting the table, making their bed -- just about any good deed they can think of.

Last year, the girls raised almost $3,000.

Brianne, who died in February 2003, was not yet five years old when she died of leukodystrophy, a rare neurodegenerative condition.

Although her tiny body was often racked by seizures, Brianne loved going to school.

Leukodystrophy, which affects the white matter surrounding the spinal cord, slowly paralyzes the body until it eventually kills.

Leukodystrophy is caused by a recessive gene, and about one in 200 people are carriers. Because of its rarity, it can often be misdiagnosed, said Dene Suhr, president of the MLD foundation, which helps families who have children with one type of leukodystrophy.

"If folks are aware this class of disease exists, they might call for some additional testing," he said. "With MRIs being really easy to get and not anywhere near as expensive as they were five or 10 years ago, a brain scan will show any changes in the brain."

Brianne's older sister, Kayla, attends the Calgary Girls' School and her mother, Patti Zabot, speaks to classes at the school about leukodystrophy.

On June 27, Kayla and her classmates will cap off their fundraising with a five-kilometres run/walk in memory of Brianne.

All money raised will support the Rotary-Flames House, Alberta's first hospice for children.

"The power of community fundraising is incredible," said Belinda Lamb of the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, "from large corporations to the Calgary Girls' School."

For more information on Brianne, visit www.briannesleapofhope.org.

© The Calgary Herald 2007